Chandigarh: For those fond of alcohol in Punjab will now have to shell out more to enjoy their drinks. The newly elected state government has given its approval to the new excise policies and increased liquor prices in the state.

Taking the charge of the office soon after the oath taking ceremony, the new Chief Minister of the state Parkash Singh Badal in his first Cabinet meeting decided to take concrete steps for raising the revenue of the state. Taking initiative in this direction, the government has announced to increase alcohol prices.

The license fee for the country made liquor and Indian made foreign liquor has been raised by Rs 17 per bottle. The wholesale price of Beer (light) will be Rs 70 while price of hard beer will be Rs 74 for now .Earlier, a bottle of beer used to cost Rs 65.With the implementation of new policy, the cost of liquor in retail market will be up by Rs 20-25.The government has decided to collect Rs 3638.48 crore revenue by increasing the alcohol prices.

Besides, the government has also eased the licence process for beer bars, hard bars and Club bars. Till now every year the bar owners had to renew their licences but now the time limit has been extended to three years.

The revenue generated from the new excise policies will be given to the education and sports department.